Cucurbita variety plant named ‘Anytime Squash’

ABSTRACT

A variety of  Cucurbita quisquam  squash having a sprawling vine bearing squash fruit.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Cucurbitaquisquam.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar that isbotanically known as Cucurbita quisquam squash.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Cucurbita cultivarthat is botanically known as Cucurbita quisquam squash.

The parentage of the new cultivar may be summarized as follows:Cucurbita cylindrical (zucchini)×Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin)×unknown

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a vine and squash; and

FIG. 2 shows the vine and foliage of the plant.

FIG. 3 illustrates the vine and squash of the plant shortly afterfertilization.

FIG. 4 illustrates the squash developing on the vine of the squash.

FIG. 5 illustrates the squash, leaf, vine and bud of the plant after afirst frost.

FIG. 6 illustrates a harvest fully mature squash from the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Cucurbita quisquam squash has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The following observations and descriptionsare of a plant grown outside in Clarksville, Tex.

The parents are zucchini, pumpkin and an unknown plant.

The Cucurbita quisquam squash has a growth habit and cultivation similarto the vine varieties like pumpkin and zucchini squash. It can grow onvines that typically fall in the range of 8 to 20 feet long with aplurality of the fruit (squash) located on the vines. Additionally, thevines include broad green leaves.

The fruit are cylindrical to pear-shaped. The fruit, at 4 weeks oldrange in size between 2 to 4 inches in length. The fruits resemblezucchini at 4 weeks old. Later, at several months, the fruit is a large,yellow squash of about 6–8 inches in length. At full maturity, the fruitis about 8–10 inches to 24 inches. The mature squash is light orange.The squash has a plurality of nodules on the surface of the fruit. Theflesh of the fruit is creamy white at 4 weeks. Later in the fruit'smaturity, the color is light gold. At The skin of the fruit at its earlystages is similar to a zucchini. As the fruit matures, it is thickerlike winter squash with an orange color.

The plant was first asexually propagated by vegetative cutting in 2005near Clarksville, Tex. The mature plant in FIG. 6 is approximatelyseventy days. In regards to the growing conditions of the plant, theplant began after the last frost of the winter, when soil warms(approximately the month of April). The plant is grown in full sun,brown to black soil, medium to heavy soil with some humus mixed in andfertilized with 5-10-5 fertilizer. Later in the growing cycle, organicfertilizer in hills about 4 to 6 feet apart was applied to the plant.The plant thrived in the rainy season. During the dry summer months inhot weather (e.g., 100 degrees Fahrenheit), the plant requires wateringevery other day. The color of the leaves varies with maturity. Newleaves have an upper side of a moderate yellowish green near 136C and alower side of strong yellowish green near 144A. For mature leaves, theupper side is moderate yellowish green near 139D and a lower side oflight yellowish green near 145C.

There are several differences between parents and related (similarcultivars). The fruit (squash) is squash shaped. The squash changes asit matures and is stored. The squash keeps a long time after beingharvested (i.e., over sixty days). The plant germinates about 7–10 daysand grows rapidly. The squash is about an inch when fertilization occursand can be eaten anytime from then until squash reaches its finalmaturation (i.e., sixty or more days).

In regards to cold and drought resistance of the plant, after the lastfrost free date in spring, the plant may be started. The plant may alsobe started indoors earlier and transferred outside. If sheltered, theplant can survive the first light frost. In this situation, the topouter leaves get burned, but the stems remain intact and leaves underoutside leaves remain intact. The squash thrives in warm weather andgrows prolifically in spring rains and keeps growing in the hot July andAugust weather, if is watered every week. In 105 degree Fahrenheittempter, watering is necessary every day or every other day.

In regards to diseases and inserts, the biggest problem is the “squashbug”. It takes a lot of these insects to weaken or kill the plant. Thebranching habit helps the plant to survive pests such as the squash bug.In some locations, mildew can affect the plant, in particular upon theleaves. This usually occurs in partial shade, but because the branchesform from the vine, another branch of the vine may survive.

The plant grows quickly and has a leaf span of about 6 to 8 inchesacross and about 8 to 10 inches long. The plant makes long vines thatbranch. Some of the branches secure themselves in the ground after aperiod of time. If the vines are cut, the branches re-grow. In addition,the plant has flowers. The squash can be eaten at various stages ofdevelopment, form the small fertilized fruit of 1 to 3 inches, untiltotally mature. When harvested in the fall, the squash has a hard skin,similar to a winter squash and has a color of moderate yellow near 162B.Earlier in the season, the squash is similar to a summer squash, with asoft skin which easily peels. It slices easily and has a pale yellowcolor (near 158B) flesh inside. The interior of the squash becomes moregolden as it matures and is stored.

1. A new and distinct variety of Cucurbita quisquam squash plant names‘anytime squash’ substantially as illustrated and described.